Development partner hub South East Scotland will deliver the 1,200 capacity secondary school alongside Morrison Construction as the Tier 1 Contractor.

A planning application was submitted in Autumn 2017 after extensive consultation with educationalists, service users and the local community.

Approved plans for the new school include a sports hall and new 6 lane swimming pool (increased in size from 4 lanes after taking into account community feedback). Externally there will be a new full sized 3G pitch for football within the site and access to a full sized 3G pitch for rugby and football off site (not linked with the application), as well as running track, long jump, shot put provision, rounders pitch and three hard play spaces marked out for basketball/netball.

The new facility will be built on the current school’s playing fields and, following completion, the old school will be demolished, with the area landscaped and a new pitch created on the site.

Recognising how close the school is to the Forth Bridge World Heritage Site, architects Ryder have sympathetically designed the school to fit in to its surroundings. This includes maximising views from the school across to the Forth Bridge and choosing external finishes that complement the location.

Roddy Clark, hub South East’s project director, said: “We’re excited to have reached this key milestone of planning approval on the new Queensferry High School. Throughout the consultation we listened to feedback and as a result, we were able to make changes to the design to reflect local needs, such as a larger swimming pool. The new school will not only provide a modern learning estate for pupils and staff, but will be a fantastic asset to the community.

“After successfully delivering a new high school campus and several primary school facilities for the Council already, we look forward to working in partnership to make these Queensferry High plans a reality.”

Education convener Councillor Ian Perry said: “It’s great news for pupils, staff, parents and the Queensferry community that planning permission has been granted for the new school which means construction work can start in the spring. Queensferry has an expanding population and our plans for the new high school will provide great community facilities.

“The council has successfully worked with hub South East Scotland over the past five years on the additional rising rolls programme and building the new James Gillespie’s High School so I am sure everyone will be looking forward to a state of the art school opening in spring 2020.”

Eddie Robertson, Morrison Construction managing director central building, said: ”We look forward to working with our partners hub South East and The City of Edinburgh Council to build this exciting new facility for Queensferry and the wider district.

”This project will deliver larger, modern education and sporting facilities to benefit pupils, staff and the community and we are excited to make these plans a reality.

”Over the course of the construction programme we will continue our engagement with the school and community stakeholders.

”The education and employment opportunities we create will ensure this project has a positive impact on the community now and into the future.”

Work is expected to start on site in Spring 2018, with completion due by Spring 2020.